Accurate cascode bias networks

Abstract

Bias networks are provided for accurate generation of biases of cascode transistor arrangements. Network embodiments generate a voltage that accurately biases the transistor of a cascode arrangement at a selected point in its saturation region and this voltage is accurately transferred to the drain of a transistor via the gate-to-source voltage drops of a pair of gate-coupled transistors.

Description

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/659,476 filed Mar. 7, 2005.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to cascode transistor arrangements.

2. Description of the Related Art

For metal-oxide-semiconductor transistors, a cascode arrangement often couples a common-gate cascode transistor to the drain of a second transistor. The cascode transistor provides a substantially enhanced output impedance. Other cascode transistors can be added to further enhance the output impedance. Although various networks have been proposed for biasing cascode arrangements, they have generally failed to accurately bias the second transistor at a desired point in its saturation region and maintain that point over variations in operating conditions (e.g., process, supply and temperature).

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to bias networks for accurate biasing of cascode transistor arrangements. The novel features of the invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention will be best understood from the following description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram of a bias-network embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 2, 3, 4 and 5 are diagrams of other bias-network embodiments; and

FIG. 6 is a diagram of yet another bias-network embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1-6 illustrate bias-network embodiments that are particularly suited for providing biases of cascode transistor arrangements. For example, the network embodiments generate a voltage which is accurately transferred to the drain of a transistor via the gate-to-source voltage drops of a pair of gate-coupled transistors.

In particular, FIG. 1 illustrates a bias network embodiment 130 which includes a first voltage-drop generator 31, a second voltage-drop generator 32, a first transistor 21, a second transistor 22, a third transistor 23, a first gate-bias regulator 90, and a second gate-bias regulator 91. The first voltage-drop generator is coupled to port 100. The second voltage-drop generator 32 is coupled between the first voltage-drop generator 31 and the source of the first transistor 21. The first transistor 21 has a gate coupled to the first gate-bias regulator 90. In one possible embodiment, the gate-bias regulator 90 sets the voltage at the gate of transistor 21 so that it conducts a current 54. In another possible embodiment, the gate-bias regulator maintains a desired gate-source voltage drop across transistor 21. The drain of transistor 21 is coupled to port 103. The second transistor 22 has a gate coupled to the gate of the first transistor 21. The third transistor 23 has a gate coupled to the second gate-bias regulator 91, a drain coupled the source of the second transistor 22 and a source coupled to port 100. In one embodiment, the gate-bias regulator 91 sets the voltage at the gate of transistor 23 so that it conducts a current 55. In another embodiment, the gate-bias regulator 91 sets the gate-source voltage drop across transistor 23. In the bias-network embodiment 130, a first current source 41 provides a first current 51 to the common node between the first voltage-drop generator 31 and the second voltage-drop generator 32. A second current source 42 provides a second current 52 to the source node of first transistor 21.

The first voltage-drop generator 31 is configured to generate a drain-source saturation voltage V_{DS, SAT23} of the third transistor 23 and the second voltage-drop generator 32 is configured to generate an over-drive voltage V_OD. The drain-source saturation voltage, V_{DS, SAT23}, is the least voltage which insures that the third transistor 23 is biased in its saturation region. The over-drive voltage, V_OD, is selectable to enhance network performance by accurately spacing the third transistor's bias from the transition between its linear and saturation behaviors.

The first and second current sources 41 and 42 are configured to provide currents 51 and 52 respectively so as to control the currents 60 and 61 to the over-drive voltage-drop generator 32 and the drain-source saturation voltage-drop generator 31 respectively. The current 60 through the over-drive voltage-drop generator 32 equals the sum of the current 52 and the current out of the source of the first transistor 21. The current 61 through the drain-source saturation voltage-drop generator 31 equals the difference between the current 60 and the current 51.

Although various embodiments of the first voltage-drop generator 31 may be used to form network embodiments of the invention, an arrow 71 indicates an exemplary voltage-drop generator 121 which includes a fourth transistor 24 and a fifth transistor 25. The source of fifth transistor 25 is coupled to the port 105. Port 105 is typically coupled to the port 100. The gate and drain of the fourth transistor 24 is coupled to the gate of the fifth transistor 25. The source of fourth transistor 24 is coupled to the drain of the fifth transistor 25 and to port 106. Port 106 is connected to the common node between the first voltage-drop generator 31 and the second voltage-drop generator 32. Typically the fourth transistor 24 carries a first current density and the fifth transistor 25 carries a second current density greater than the first current density. In an embodiment, the fourth transistor 24 carries the current of a third current source 43. The fifth transistor carries a current which equals the sum of the current out of the source of the fourth transistor and any current flowing into the port 106. Typically, the current flowing into port 106 is the difference between current 60 and current 51.

The fourth transistor 24 has a first channel width-to-length ratio (W/L) and the fifth transistor 25 has a second channel width-to-length ratio less than the first channel width-to-length ratio. In one embodiment, the first channel width-to-length ratio is substantially three times the second channel width-to-length ratio and the third and fourth transistors 23 and 24 carry the same current because it has been shown that this relationship will accurately provide the drain-source saturation voltage for the third transistor 23.

Although various embodiments of the second voltage-drop generator 32 may be used to form network embodiments of the invention, an arrow 70 indicates an exemplary voltage-drop generator 122 which includes a resistor 80 that has a resistance R and carries a current 60 of value 160. The ends of the resistor 80 form ports 107 and 108. The over-drive voltage V_OD generated between these ports is RI₆₀. Ports 107 and 108 are coupled between the saturation voltage-drop generator 31 and the source of the first transistor 21.

The over-drive voltage V_OD can be altered by altering R, by altering the current through the resistor, or by altering both. With proper structuring of the resistor 80 and/or the current 60, various responses over temperature (e.g., proportional to absolute temperature (PTAT) or complementary to absolute temperature (CTAT)) can be realized to enhance circuit performance.

One possible embodiment of bias-network 130 arranges currents 54 and 55 so that they are substantially equal and sizes the first and second transistors 21 and 22 to be substantially equal so that the gate-to-source voltages of these transistors are substantially equal and thus the voltage at the source of the first transistor 21 is accurately replicated at the drain of the third transistor 23. Thus, the drain-to-source voltage across transistor 23 is substantially equal to its drain-source saturation voltage plus the over-drive voltage.

The network of FIG. 1 forms a low-voltage headroom circuit. The voltage difference between port 103 and port 100 preferably obtains to a voltage equal to or in excess of the sum of the gate-to-source voltage of the first transistor 21, the over-drive voltage V_OD, and the drop across the drain-source saturation voltage-drop generator 31. Additionally, the voltage difference between port 104 and port 100 preferably obtains to a voltage equal to or in excess of the drain-source saturation voltage of transistor 23 plus the over-drive voltage V_OD plus the drain-source saturation voltage of transistor 22. Additional headroom constraints on the operation of bias-network 130 may result from the necessity to provide the gate voltages of transistors 21 and 23. The voltage drop between the gate of transistor 21 and port 100 preferably obtains to a voltage equal to or in excess of the drain-source saturation voltage of transistor 23 plus the over-drive voltage V_OD plus the gate-source voltage of transistor 21. The voltage drop between the gate of transistor 23 and port 100 preferably obtains to a voltage equal to or in excess of the gate-source voltage of transistor 21.

The bias network 130 provides, at output ports 101 and 102, first and second bias voltages V_BIAS1 and V_BIAS2. Presuming ports 100 and 113 are maintained at substantially the same voltage, V_BIAS1 and V_BIAS2 can be effectively used to bias one or a plurality of cascoded transistor networks 124 that each comprises a cascoded transistor 26 and a cascode transistor 27. In an embodiment, the substantial equality between the voltages at ports 100 and 113 is obtained by coupling ports 100 and 113 together. The gate of transistor 26 is coupled to the first bias voltage V_BIAS1 and the gate of the cascode transistor 27 is coupled to the second bias voltage V_BIAS2. The source of the cascode transistor 27 is coupled to the drain of transistor 26. Because the gate of transistor 26 carries the same first bias voltage V_BIAS1 as the third transistor 23, it will provide a current 62 whose amplitude is related to that of the fifth current 55 by the ratio of the channel width-to-length ratio (W/L) of transistor 26 to that of the third transistor 23. The current 62 will substantially flow in port 112 and through transistor 27. If cascode transistor 27 is sized to have substantially the same current density as the second transistor 22, it will have substantially the same gate-to-source voltage and, accordingly, the drain of transistor 26 will also be accurately biased at its drain-source saturation voltage plus the over-drive voltage V_OD.

The bias voltages V_BIAS1 and V_BIAS2 allow for a low-voltage headroom circuit. When ports 100 and 113 are coupled this circuit forms a current source. The voltage difference between ports 113 and 114 preferably obtains to a value equal to or in excess of the drain-source saturation voltage of transistor 27 plus the over-drive voltage V_OD plus the drain-source saturation voltage of transistor 26. Preferably the voltage at port 111 obtains to a gate-to-source voltage drop above the voltage at port 113. Port 112 preferably obtains to a voltage equal to the voltage at port 113 plus the drain-source saturation voltage of transistor 26 plus the over-drive voltage V_OD plus the gate-source voltage of transistor 27.

The biasing of the third transistor 23 with a drain-to-source voltage in excess of its drain-source saturation voltage by an over-drive voltage in the network embodiment 130 of FIG. 1 is substantially independent of transistor parameters (e.g., threshold voltage and back-bias). Similarly, the biasing of the cascoded transistor 26 with a drain-to-source voltage in excess of its drain-source saturation voltage by an over-drive voltage is substantially independent of transistor parameters. In one network embodiment, the network is structured so that each group of transistors 21, 22 and 27 and transistors 23 and 26 are configured to carry substantially the same current density. Preferably, channel lengths are substantially equal except for the fifth transistor 25. Various other network embodiments may alter these relationships but alter them so as to maintain accurate generation of the drain-source saturation voltage plus over-drive voltage and accurate transfer of this bias to the cascoded transistor of cascode arrangements.

FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate other bias-network embodiments 131 and 132 which include elements of the embodiment 130 of FIG. 1 with like elements indicated by like reference numbers. In the bias network 131 of FIG. 2, the current source 42 of FIG. 1 is replaced with a current source 42A and a transistor 42B. Current source 42A couples into the source of transistor 21. Transistor 42B has a gate and a source coupled to the gate and source of transistor 23 respectively. The drain of transistor 42B is coupled to the source of transistor 21. In one embodiment according to FIG. 2, transistor 42B is biased so as to conduct substantially all of the current flowing out of the source of transistor 21. Other embodiments may bias transistor 42B so as to conduct a current that is greater or less than the current flowing out of the source of transistor 21. The bias network 132 of FIG. 3 is similar to the network 130 of FIG. 1 but the current source 41 is replaced with a current source 41A and a transistor 41B. Current source 41A and the drain of transistor 41B both couple into the common node between the drain-source saturation voltage-drop generator 31 and the over-drive voltage-drop generator 32. Transistor 41B has a gate and a source coupled to the gate and source of transistor 23 respectively. In one embodiment according to FIG. 3, transistor 41B is biased so as to conduct substantially all of the current flowing out of the source of transistor 21. Other embodiments may bias transistor 41B so as to conduct a current that is greater or less than the current flowing out of the source of transistor 21.

FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate other bias-network embodiments 133 and 134 which include elements of the embodiment 130 of FIG. 1 with like elements indicated by like reference numbers. In the bias network 133 of FIG. 4, the first gate-bias regulator 90 is replaced with a current source 44 and a conductive path 140 which couples the gate and drain of transistor 21. Current source 44 provides a current 54. Gate-bias regulator 90 sets the gate voltage of transistor 21 so that the transistor conducts the current 54. In the bias network 134 of FIG. 5, the second gate-bias regulator 91 is replaced with a current source 45 and a conductive path 141 which couples the gate and drain of transistor 23. Current source 45 provides a current 55. Gate-bias regulator 91 sets the gate voltage of transistor 23 so that the transistor conducts the current 55.

A bias-network embodiment 135 is shown in FIG. 6 which is basically a nested application of the bias network 130 of FIG. 1. The network 135 illustrates that the teachings of embodiments of the invention can be applied to the biasing of other cascoded transistor networks.

The bias-network embodiment 135 in FIG. 6 produces a voltage drop between port 100 and the source of transistor 23 substantially equal to the drain-source saturation voltage of transistor 26, V_{DS, SAT26}, plus an over-drive voltage V_OD1. The voltage at the source of transistor 23 is then replicated at the source of transistor 25 via the gate-source voltage drops of transistors 23 and 25. Preferably, transistors 23 and 25 are biased with the same current density thereby establishing a drain-to-source voltage across transistor 26 equal to its drain-source saturation voltage plus the over-drive voltage V_OD1. Similarly, the bias-network 135 produces a voltage drop between the source of transistor 23 and the source of transistor 21 substantially equal to the drain-source saturation voltage of transistor 23, V_{DS, SAT23}, plus the over-drive voltage V_OD2. The voltage at the source of transistor 21 is then replicated at the source of transistor 22 via the gate-source voltage drops of transistors 21 and 22. Preferably transistors 21 and 22 are biased with the same current density thereby establishing a drain-source saturation voltage across transistor 23 equal to its drain-source saturation voltage plus the over-drive voltage V_OD2. Furthermore, the voltage at the source of transistor 21 is replicated at the source of transistor 24 via the gate-source voltage drops of transistors 21 and 24. Preferably, transistors 21 and 24 are biased with the same current density thereby establishing a drain-source saturation voltage across transistor 25 equal to the drain-source saturation voltage of transistor 23 plus the over-drive voltage V_OD2, provided the sources of transistors 23 and 25 are at substantially the same voltage. The sources of transistors 23 and 25 will be at substantially the same voltage if transistors 23 and 25 are biased with substantially the same current density.

Network embodiments of drain-source saturation voltage-drop generators 31 and 33 have exemplary network embodiments 121 and 123 respectively. Transistor 28 is biased with three times the current density of transistor 26. Transistor 30 is biased with three times the current density of transistor 23. Transistor 27 is biased with a current density substantially equal to the current density of transistor 26. Transistor 29 is biased with a current density substantially equal to the current density of transistor 23. This bias arrangement causes a voltage drop between ports 107 and 108 substantially equal to the drain-source saturation voltage of transistor 26 and a voltage drop between ports 111 and 112 substantially equal to the drain-source saturation voltage of transistor 23.

The bias network 135 provides, at output ports 101, 102 and 103, first, second and third bias voltages V_BIAS1, V_BIAS2 and V_BIAS3 that can be effectively used to bias one or a plurality of cascoded transistor networks 125, presuming ports 100 and 118 are maintained at substantially the same voltage. In an embodiment, the substantial equality between the voltages at ports 100 and 118 is obtained by coupling ports 100 and 118. Each cascoded transistor network 125 comprises a cascoded transistor 231, a first cascode transistor 232, and a second cascode transistor 233. The gate of transistor 231 is coupled to the first bias voltage V_BIAS1, the gate of the first cascode transistor 232 is coupled to the second bias voltage V_BIAS2 and the gate of the second cascode transistor 233 is coupled to the third bias voltage V_BIAS3. The source of the first cascode transistor 232 is coupled to the drain of the cascoded transistor 231. Provided that the source potentials of transistor 26 and transistor 231 are substantially equal, because the gate of the cascoded transistor 231 carries the same first bias voltages V_BIAS1 as transistor 26, it will provide a current 62 whose amplitude is related to that of the current 59 by the ratio of the channel width-to-length ratio (W/L) of transistor 231 to that of the transistor 26. The current 62 will substantially flow in port 119, through transistor 233 and through transistor 232. If cascode transistor 232 is sized to have substantially the same current density as the transistor 23, it will have substantially the same gate-to-source voltage and, accordingly, the drain of the cascoded transistor 231 will also be accurately biased so that the applied drain-source voltage is substantially the saturation voltage plus the over-drive voltage V_OD1. Additionally, if second cascode transistor 233 is sized to have substantially the same current density as transistor 21, it will have substantially the same gate-to-source voltage and accordingly, the drain of the first cascode transistor 232 will also be accurately biased and the applied drain-source voltage is substantially the saturation voltage plus the over-drive voltage V_OD2.

In one embodiment, the network of FIG. 6 is structured so that each group of transistors 21, 22, 24 and 233, transistors 23, 25, and 232 and transistors 26 and 231 are configured to carry substantially the same current density.

Although the above description and the following claims often use numerical adjectives (e.g., first, second and so on) for identification, adjectives of the claims may differ from those of the description.

The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A bias network, comprising:

a first transistor;

a second transistor with its gate coupled to its drain and the gate of the first transistor, and its source coupled to the drain of the first transistor;

a voltage-drop generator with first and second ports with first port coupled to the drain of the first transistor;

a third transistor with its source coupled to the second port of said first voltage-drop generator; and

a first gate-bias regulator coupled to the gate of the third transistor.

2. The network of claim 1, wherein gate of said third transistor provides a bias signal.

3. The network of claim 1, wherein said first transistor carries a first current density and said second transistor carries a second current density that is less than said first current density.

4. The network of claim 3, wherein said first current density is substantially three times said second current density.

5. The network of claim 1, further including:

a first current source with a first current coupled to the drain of said first transistor.

6. The network of claim 1, further including:

a second current source with a second current coupled to the source of said third transistor.

7. The network of claim 1, further including:

a third current source arranged to pass a third current through said first transistor.

8. The network of claim 1, further including:

a fourth current source arranged to pass a fourth current through said third transistor.

9. The network of claim 1, further including a fourth transistor with a drain coupled to the drain of said first transistor arranged to carry a fifth current.

10. The network of claim 1, further including a fifth transistor with a drain coupled to the source of said third transistor arranged to carry a sixth current.

11. The network of claim 1, wherein said voltage-drop generator comprises a resistor.

12. The network of claim 1, wherein said first gate-bias regulator comprises:

a fifth current source arranged to pass a seventh current through said third transistor; and

a first conducting path coupling the drain and gate of said third transistor.

13. The network of claim 1, further including:

a sixth transistor whose source is coupled to the source of the said first transistor;

a seventh transistor with its gate coupled to the gate of the said third transistor, and its source coupled to the drain of the sixth transistor; and

a second gate-bias regulator coupled to the gate of the sixth transistor.

14. The network of claim 13, wherein gate of said sixth transistor provides a bias signal.

15. The network of claim 13, wherein said second gate-bias regulator comprises:

a sixth current source arranged to pass an eighth current through said seventh transistor; and

a second conducting path coupling the drain of said seventh transistor to the gate of said sixth transistor.

16. A bias network, comprising:

a first voltage-drop generator with first and second ports;

a second voltage-drop generator with third and fourth ports with third port coupled to the second port of the first voltage-drop generator;

a first transistor with its source coupled to the second port of said second voltage-drop generator; and

a first gate-bias regulator coupled to the gate of the first transistor.

17. The network of claim 16, wherein gate of said first transistor provides a bias signal.

18. The network of claim 16, further including:

a first current source with a first current coupled to the second port of said first voltage-drop generator.

19. The network of claim 16, further including:

a second current source with a second current coupled to the source of said first transistor.

20. The network of claim 16, wherein said first gate-bias regulator comprises:

a third current source arranged to pass a third current through said first transistor; and

a first conducting path coupling the drain and gate of said first transistor.

21. The network of claim 18, further including a second transistor with a drain coupled to the second port of said first voltage-drop generator arranged to carry a fourth current.

22. The network of claim 19, further including a third transistor with a drain coupled to the source of said first transistor arranged to carry a fifth current.

23. The network of claim 16, wherein said voltage-drop generator comprises a resistor.

24. The network of claim 16, further including:

a fourth transistor whose source is coupled to first port of said first voltage-drop generator;

a fifth transistor with its gate coupled to the gate of said first transistor and its source coupled to the drain of the fourth transistor; and

a second gate-bias regulator coupled to the gate of the fourth transistor.

25. The network of claim 24, wherein gate of said fourth transistor provides a bias signal.

26. The network of claim 24, wherein said second gate-bias regulator comprises:

a fourth current source arranged to pass a sixth current through said fourth transistor; and

a second conducting path coupling the drain of said fifth transistor to the gate of said fourth transistor.

27. The network of claim 16, wherein said first voltage-drop generator comprises:

a sixth transistor with the source forming the first port and the drain forming the second port of the said first voltage-drop generator; and

a seventh transistor with its gate coupled to its drain and the gate of the sixth transistor, and its source coupled to the drain of the sixth transistor.

28. The network of claim 27, wherein said sixth transistor carries a first current density and said seventh transistor carries a second current density that is less than said first current density.

29. The network of claim 28, wherein said first current density is substantially three times said second current density.

30. The network of claim 27, further including:

a fifth current source arranged to pass a seventh current through said seventh transistor.